The Crime at Black Dudley: An Albert Campion Mystery

When George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he has only one thing on his mind - proposing to Meggie Oliphant. Unfortunately for George, things don't quite go according to plan. A harmless game turns decidedly deadly and suspicions of murder take precedence over matrimony. Trapped in a remote country house with a murderer, George can see no way out. But Albert Campion can.

Thrones, Dominations: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery

It is 1936, and Lord Peter Wimsey has returned from his honeymoon to set up home with his cherished new wife, the novelist Harriet Vane. As they become part of fashionable London society, they encounter the glamorous socialite Rosamund Harwell and her wealthy impresario husband, Laurence. Unlike the Wimseys they are not in love - and all too soon, one of them is dead. A murder case that only Lord Peter Wimsey can solve.

The White Cottage Mystery: An Albert Campion Mystery

Seven people might have murdered Eric Crowther, the mysterious recluse who lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage. Seven people had good cause. It was not lack of evidence that sent Detective Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry half across Europe to unravel a chaos of clues. The White Cottage Mystery was Margery Allingham's first detective story, published initially as a newspaper serial.

Black Plumes

Slashed paintings and a mysterious death, an accused fiancé and the reappearance of a long-dead husband - Black Plumes is another classic crime drama from Margery Allingham. 'Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.' - Agatha Christie.

A Quiet Life in the Country: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 1

Lady Emily Hardcastle is an eccentric widow with a secret past. Florence Armstrong, her maid and confidante, is an expert in martial arts. The year is 1908 and they've just moved from London to the country, hoping for a quiet life. But it is not long before Lady Hardcastle is forced out of her self-imposed retirement. There's a dead body in the woods, and the police are on the wrong scent. Lady Hardcastle makes some enquiries of her own, and it seems she knows a surprising amount about crime investigation...

The Secrets of Wishtide

Mrs Laetitia Rodd is the impoverished widow of an Archdeacon: she is also a private detective of the utmost discretion. In winter 1850, she is asked by Sir James Calderstone to investigate the background of an 'unsuitable' woman his son intends to marry. In the guise of governess, she travels to the family seat, Wishtide, where she discovers that the Calderstones have more to hide than most. As their secrets unfold, the case takes an unpleasant turn when a man is found dead outside a tavern.

CharmayneFB says:"Thoroughly entertaining"

Publisher's Summary

Jimmy Sutane is London's favorite song-and-dance man, headlining at the Argosy Theatre, and beloved by all. Or almost all - someone has taken to playing increasingly nasty pranks. Albert Campion offers to poke around, but what he finds chez Sutane nearly overwhelms him. The far-from traditional household features a clutch of explosive egos, including a brooding 'genius musician,' and a melodramatic young actress who seems to delight in drawing others into her web of carefully groomed tragedy. Someone here is aiming to hang up Sutane's tap shoes on a permanent basis, and if Campion is to keep Jimmy dancing, he'll have to come up with some pretty fancy footwork of his own.

Margery Allingham was born in London in 1904. Her first novel was published when she was seventeen. In 1929 she published The Crime at Black Dudley and introduced the character who was to become the hallmark of her writing - Albert Campion.

Yes because it is so much more than a crime novel. There is an emotional depth to it that I find very moving and David Thorpe's reading does that full justice. It is quite dark in tone with a lot of people who are bruised by life in some way or another.

Who was your favorite character and why?

They are all vividly drawn. On a slightly shallow note, I am I pleased that Amanda Fitton is entirely absent as I find her presence detracts in other novels.

Have you listened to any of David Thorpe’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I would certainly listen to others. I hesitated a long time before buying this because I have a much cherished reading of this book by Francis Matthews and I was concerned that this reading would somehow disappoint me. I needn't have worried. David Thorpe has all the attributes I want in a reader, a beautiful voice and the ability to convey character through different voices as well as a performance to suit the story. There were times when I genuinely forgot this was just one actor reading as the voices were all so different.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I find the whole set up of this particular story moving but the ending particularly so. No matter how many times I listen to it it always moves me (almost) to tears. The reason for this lies in the writing and the creation of characters I really care about. All of this could be lost in performance but David Thorpe conveyed the emotional depth so well. Even the minor characters are vividly portrayed ranging from the comic to the tragic and it is a very satisfying performance which does justice to a novel with more depth than a straightforward whodunnit.

This is the only Campion novel I like because this is a grown up Campion who is not playing the fool as he often seems to be in other novels. He was in emotional turmoil throughout the novel and I truly feel his dilemma

Where does Dancers in Mourning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a book that deserves to be near the top of the tree in the Margery Allingham canon.

Any additional comments?

This book follows similar lines to the other Albert Campion books. Very well crafted with good interaction between the numerous character especially Lugg and Campion. I thought it was a little bit slow in starting but once the bodies started appearing it took off. If you ever get a paper version of this book, whatever you do don't loose the last page, as it's only in the last paragraph you find out "who done it". I was wrong by the way. Excellent book.

Beautiful narration - great story - in my opinion the ending was a little sudden- but this did match the time of the book - so just me wanting it to go a little longer !Uncle William makes a reappearance which was lovely and there was not quite as much of the wonderful Lug as I would have liked! Basically I just wanted more ! Excellent book all round.

David Thorpe affects accents which detract from, rather than enhance, the story. The Campion series is one which I enjoy and as this particular narrator is most prevalent it seems that I will just have to put up with him.

I love the Campion series and the plot is satisfyingly full of twists. Good story but, most especially, the narrator is truly wonderful! David Thorpe captures all the different characters well with a really impressive repertoire of different voices for each. His delivery adds a great deal of well-placed comedic touches to the story. I am definitely looking for more books narrated by Mr. Thorpe.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Marie

ALEXANDRIA, VA, United States

05/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Campion Revealed"

Unlike other Campion stories, the reader gets to see a new side of Campion. We get a glimpse into his heart and his struggle with a personal conflict. It adds a new dimension to his character, who usually gets by with a joke to cover his feelings. The story is peppered with intriguing secondary characters and plot twists abound. I gave the story itself only 4 stars because I don't think the motive given for the killers action was worthy of some of his/her actions. A great listen, though I do find David Thorpe's interpretation of Campion's voice a bit over the top.

The book cover makes no sense. No one in the story was a ballet dance. Just a pet peeve of mine.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Stephen W Osborne

18/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Smash Hit!"

I'd read this book years ago and enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more listening to David Thorpe's performance. He made each character come to life, making the story vivid and exciting. Here we have Campion involved in a case he really doesn't want to solve, mainly because he's fallen in love with the wife of one of the suspects.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

Greensboro, NC

11/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Amazing!!!"

I love all of the Campion mysteries, but this one was just stupendous!!! Even with Campion expressing the building tension, the tension did grow! It wasn't till the last that I suspected. So much fog in the way to see the end.

Great yarn!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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